Carolina Chickadees in New Jersey

Carolina Chickadees live in New Jersey all year — southern and central New Jersey. Moderate winters; Cape May and the shore hold many half-hardy birds. That makes the cold months the time your yard matters most to them: their winter diet shifts toward seeds and small fruit; sunflower, suet and peanuts at feeders.

Humid continental to subtropical, from the Highlands in the north to the Pine Barrens and Cape May.

Across New Jersey, Carolina chickadees typically nest from April–June. Nest site: cavities in dead wood or nest boxes, often with moss nesting material. Females lay 3–10 eggs, incubate for 11–14 days, and young leave the nest after 13–17 days.

Hot, humid summers; Cape May is a world-class migration funnel.

• Have boxes cleaned and mounted before March — Carolina chickadees begin prospecting ahead of egg-laying.
• Use a 1 1/8 in round entrance on a 4 × 4 in floor, mounted 5–15 ft.
• Fit a pole baffle or hole guard; ventilation gaps and drainage holes are essential.
• Clean out old nests after each brood and again after June.

Of the regional native plants we track for New Jersey, these 8 provide food or cover Carolina chickadees use:

Like other chickadees they carry off single seeds to eat or cache, and often lead mixed flocks with titmice and nuthatches to feeders.

• Best foods: Black-oil sunflower, Suet, Shelled peanuts.
• In New Jersey's winter: Moderate winters; Cape May and the shore hold many half-hardy birds.

Full diet breakdown for Carolina chickadees · Best feeder for Carolina chickadees